Dwight Howard was one of the headliners of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025. It is a well-deserved achievement after a legendary career and the surprise omission from the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
From 2004 to 2022, Dwight Howard was one of the best centers in the NBA. Mostly known for his legendary days with the Orlando Magic, Howard was a defensive phenom and a beloved figure in the city. He has three Defensive Player of the Year awards in his trophy case alongside eight NBA All-Star appearances and eight All-NBA nods.
After 2014, Howard never achieved NBA All-Star status again, but he continued to perform well. That might have played a role in his omission from the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, as players like Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard were chosen ahead of him.
Howard felt insulted by not being part of the NBA 75 Team
Ahead of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team announcement, many people thought Howard was a shoo-in. He was the best center in the league for an extended period, and he was the prime example of a fantastic rim protector.
Unfortunately, that did not result in him being part of the NBA 75. People were surprised because almost everyone thought Howard would make it. He had the accolades and the numbers to prove his worth, but that was not enough for him to be named to the special group.
Howard himself was surprised because he knew he was good enough. Thankfully, he has been honored by the Basketball Hall of Fame for his career, with his induction, and for his contributions to Team USA, which earned him another induction on the same night.
Despite those inductions, Howard does not see the logic behind his omission from the 75th Anniversary Team.
“The best part of it, I’m going in two times. The 75, yes, it hurt. It was like a big slap in the face to not be on that team,” Howard said in an interview at the ceremony.
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“To go in the Hall of Fame not only for what I did and the contributions by myself, but to help the USA team win the Gold medal and go in twice in the same year, man, it’s like God said you know what I’m gonna double pound you with a blessing.”
Howard will be remembered as one of the league’s greatest centers
As a sport centered on superstar big men, Howard fits right in with some of the best. Most people will compare him to Shaquille O’Neal due to their similar journeys and their rivalry, but Howard carried the torch for centers after O’Neal.
Howard was the most feared player in the paint, whether it was on offense or defense. He was a true superstar on the same level as players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade.
With this deserved induction into the Hall of Fame, some people will forget about his omission from the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. However, that will always be a sticking point for Howard since he knew he deserved it. The blow has been softened with two Hall of Fame nods, but Howard should make it to the NBA’s 100th Anniversary Team because he did enough to earn it.
